Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/18630
Saturday, October 30, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES No screening for pancreatic cancer DEAR DR. GOTT: My hus- band’s parents both died of pancreatic cancer. Is there any test my husband and his siblings could get during their regular check- ups to screen for this cancer? DEAR READ- stages. It is hoped that these new tests will be effective, especially for those with increased risk, such as those with a strong family histo- ry. ER: Pancreatic can- cer is a quiet, fast-spreading disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2010, about 43,000 people will be diagnosed and just under 6,000 will survive. Often, symptoms are not present until very late, when it has spread to other areas and surgical removal is impossible. Those who are diagnosed early have about a 22.5 percent five-year sur- vival rate compared to those with late-stage disease at the time of diagnosis who have a less than 2 percent five- year survival. There are two types of pancreatic cancer. The first forms in the ducts of the pancreas. This type of tumor is known as adenocarcino- ma or an exocrine tumor. Most cases of pancreatic cancer are of this sort. The second forms in the hor- mone-producing cells. This type is also known as endocrine cancer and is very rare. Risk factors for develop- ing pancreatic cancer include being overweight or obese, having pancreatitis (chronic inflammation of the pancreas), being a smok- er, having a family history of pancreatic cancer, having diabetes and a family histo- ry of genetic syndromes that increase cancer risk and age, especially in those over age 60. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, blood clots, depression and upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back. Treatment depends on the stage of cancer and which part of the pancreas is affected when first detected. In the early stages, surgical removal of part or all of the organ may be beneficial. As the disease spreads, this may not be an option. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often used before or after surgery or when surgery is not an option. In advanced cases, chemotherapy may be com- bined with targeted drug therapy. There are clinical trials available for individuals with pancreatic cancer in order to study/test new ther- apies, but these trials are not a guarantee of cure. Clinical trials are simply studies to determine whether a new drug is effective and safe. To date, there are no screening tests available to the general population. According to the Johns Hopkins website, researchers there are work- ing on developing new tests to screen and detect pancre- atic cancer in its earliest KWIK KUTS Family Hair Salon WITH COUPON REGULAR HAIRCUT Senior & Child Reg. $12.95 PERM OR COLOR Not good with other offers 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 $200 $500 Expires 10/31/10 Reg. $55.00 Bring in this ad to receive $10 OFF* any *Regular Price. Must present ad at time of purchase Crossroads Feed & Ranch Supply 595 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff, CA 95080 530-529-6400 Shopcrossroads.net CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES ARRIVING DAILY! off & Up off Reg. $13.98 VETERANS HALL 735 OAK ST. Red Bluff, Calif. THURSDAY NOV. 4 5pm-8pm FRIDAY NOV. 5 8am-8pm SATURDAY NOV. 6 10am-4pm Hand-crafted country gifts MAIN North Jackson South Dr. Peter Gott Currently, the best available tumor marker for cancer of the pancreas is the CA19-9 test. Unfortunately, it is only 80 percent accurate in identify- ing patients with this type of cancer and cannot identify early disease. Because both your hus- band’s parents had pancreat- ic cancer, he is at a higher risk for developing it as well. Sadly, I cannot offer you much hope about this disease other than the fact that the medical community now knows much more about it than in the past. Per- haps he should look into genetic testing or even con- tact the lab at Johns Hopkins that is developing these tests. They may need people to determine whether the tests are safe, effective and accurate. You can learn more about this at www.pathology.jhu.edu/pc/. You may wish to look into similar programs at other teaching hospitals, primarily those closest to your home. DEAR DR. GOTT: I saw your column about cluster headaches and wanted to tell you about my husband’s experience. He suffered with these for many years. He was on medication, hos- pitalized, and even had sinus surgery, but nothing worked. I began researching and found that he was most like- ly suffering from cluster headaches, something his doctors hadn’t told us. I also found that ginseng might help. He now takes ginseng tablets daily and has not had a headache since. The only kind that doesn’t seem to work is American ginseng, and the brand doesn’t seem to matter, either. I hope this helps some of your readers. DEAR READER: Thank you for writing. I have printed your letter in the hopes that it will in fact reach those readers who need it most. However, I do have a few issues. First, cluster headaches are fairly easy to diagnose because they follow a pattern, so I am surprised to hear that your husband underwent all this treatment for something that his doctors either could- n’t diagnose or wouldn’t tell him. Second, you did not provide any dosing informa- tion. How much ginseng is your husband currently using daily? I ask that you or any other readers familiar with this write to let me know so I can pass it on to others. Thank you. For a copy of my Health Report “Headaches,” send a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $2 check or money order payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title. Licentious lass letting laurels loose Dear Annie: My 15- year-old daughter, ‘‘Tra- cie,’’ is attractive, a top stu- dent, a volunteer and a Sun- day school teacher. She planned to become a doc- tor. Recently, Tracie became sexually involved with a 20-year-old man who is known to be a drug pusher. Moreover, he has a girl- friend. Tracie does not claim to love him. She smokes weed with him and a few days ago became so drunk (the first time) that she cannot remember what she did. The sex and pot I could handle, Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar uphill battle with Tracie as she searches for her own identity — one that may dif- fer from her parents’ expec- tations. Get her into counsel- ing with you, and work on this before she does some- thing she cannot fix. Dear Annie: My hus- band and I are in our late 50s and have been retired for six years. He now works part time and spends the rest of his day golfing and watch- ing TV. The problem is that but what upsets me terribly is that Tracie, who was widely admired in our town and who certainly received much affection at home, flaunts this relationship and seems to want to ruin her reputation. I worry that there is something self- destructive in her. What now? — California Dear California: You realize that you could call the police and have her drug-pushing partner arrested for having sex, even con- sensual, with a minor. And although Tracie would have a fit, it’s possible this kind of parental involvement is exactly what she is hoping for. Even smart, attractive teenagers can be reckless and foolish because they lack the maturity to make appropri- ate judgment calls and cannot always see the consequences of their actions. That’s what parents are for. You are going to have a major he forgets I’m retired, too. Besides my regular shopping and household upkeep, I am constantly cleaning up the messes he leaves, turning lights out, closing cup- boards and closets, and throwing away trash he drops on the floor. When I ask him to help me out, he gives me attitude and then does the task half-heartedly, which means I usually end up doing it over. And heaven forbid I point out that he didn’t do something right, because then he accuses me of being mean. He apparently needs a mother, not a wife. And when it comes to sex, he doesn’t understand that I have little interest in someone for whom I’m losing respect daily. Is it too late to get my husband to take pride in our home and see that it takes a team effort to care for it? — On My Own Dear O.M.O: If your husband didn’t do any housework before he retired, he probably doesn’t see why he should do it now. And undoubtedly, he considers it your responsibility, not his. Let him do it poorly, and don’t redo his efforts. With patience and persistence, you can ‘‘train’’ him, but it will take time, and again, you might feel like his mother. So decide how impor- tant it is to you. And if you tell him directly that more help around the house will translate to more sex, the problem could be solved alto- gether. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Crowded by the Ex.’’ I can’t imagine that after all these years, people can’t learn to get along. My husband’s ex and I started out a little leery of each other, but time has changed that. When my stepson married, I offered to let his dad and mom sit in the first row. I was more than happy to sit else- where. But they both insisted we sit together. We even did the rehearsal dinner together. Now that there are grandchil- dren, it’s wonderful to have every- one present for Christmas and birth- days. She and I have even taken the grandkids on outings together. Peo- ple need to put their selfish feelings aside and make it easier for every- one to get along. — Making it Eas- ier Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Christmas tree permit sales begin Monday Christmas Tree Per- mits are available starting Nov. 1 and will be sold through Dec. 18. Each $10 permit allows for the cutting of one Christmas tree on Lassen National Forest lands between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24. The maximum number of per- mits allowed per house- hold is two. Along with the Christmas Tree Permit tag, purchasers are pro- vided a map showing cut- ting areas, requirements, and helpful tips. Permits will not be sold at businesses in the Butte Meadows, Paradise and Mineral areas. Forest employees will be selling permits at the Mineral and Butte Meadows Work Centers. When purchas- ing in person, exact change is appreciated. Permits may also be purchased through the mail. Mailed requests for permits must be received by Dec. 10 and should be directed to the nearest Forest Service Office. To expedite your request, write "Christmas Tree Permit" on the envelope. When purchasing by mail, include the follow- ing: printed name and address to which the per- mit(s) are to be mailed; your daytime telephone number; and a check or money order for $10 per permit, made out to: "USDA Forest Service". Provide the name of the person who will be sign- Permits will be available from the Lassen National Forest at the following locations and times: Almanor Ranger Station P.O. Box 767, 900 East Hwy 36, Chester, CA 96020, 258-2141 Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mineral Work Center 38795 Highway 36 East Mineral, CA 96063, 595-3311 No mail-in requests accepted Saturdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ing the permit and cutting the tree. Be sure your driver's license number is on the check. Allow at least one week for processing of your request. Checks with incorrect amounts will be returned. When driving home, ensure the tree permit tag is visible. The permit needs to be attached to the tree and sealed so that the permit must be cut or the seal broken to be removed. If you plan to transport more than five trees in the same vehicle, a transportation permit is required from the Sher- iff’s office. Tree cutters are reminded to be prepared for sudden weather changes and colder condi- tions in higher elevations. A fun family outing can become miserable and even dangerous with a quick change of weather for the unprepared. The permits expire on Dec. 25, however forest offi- cials recommend cutting your tree early in the sea- son before the higher ele- vations are snowbound. Trees can stay fresh for quite some time if proper- ly cared for. To help keep your tree fresh, cut two inches from the bottom of your tree when you get home and place it in water. Keep your tree watered and in a shady spot until you are ready for it in the house. Another helpful hint is to bring an old tarp to wrap your tree in. When you drag your tree out of the forest, the tarp protects the tree and helps you avoid breaking branches. The tarp can also help prevent wind damage on the way home. For information go to: www.fs.usda.gov/lassen. Thank You To Our Carnival Sponsors... YES ON PROP 23 Do not believe all you hear about Prop 23. It does not cancel AB32. Prop 23 puts AB32 on hold until we can afford it. It will not kill you with cancer. Prop 23 saves Lives, Jobs and Trees. Find out for yourself! 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